i4cp Announces 2025 Award Winners for HR Leadership & Innovation

Thought Leaders Peter Cappelli, Lisa Bryant, & Lisa Ashworth, and Member Organizations Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Lumen Technologies, Manulife Financial, Symetra, Zachry Corporation, and Next Practice Award Winners Recognized at Leading Annual Human Capital Conference

Scottsdale, AZ – March 5, 2025 – The Institute for Corporate Productivity (i4cp) has announced the recipients of its 2025 Member and Next Practice Awards, recognizing exceptional leadership, innovation, and impact in human resources. These awards honor individuals and organizations that are pioneering new workforce strategies, transforming talent practices, and driving meaningful business results.

2025 Member Award Winners

Peter Cappelli – Industry Legend Award

Renowned HR thought leader, professor, and researcher Peter Cappelli has been recognized with i4cp’s Industry Legend Award for his decades of groundbreaking work in workforce strategy, talent management, and HR innovation.

"Few individuals have had such a profound impact on the world of HR and talent strategy as Peter Cappelli," said Kevin Oakes, CEO and co-founder of i4cp. "His work has shaped the way organizations think about the future of work, and we are honored to recognize his legacy with the i4cp Industry Legend Award."

As George W. Taylor Professor of Management at The Wharton School and Director of Wharton’s Center for Human Resources, Cappelli has influenced executives, researchers, and HR professionals globally with his research and thought leadership. He joins past i4cp Industry Legend Award recipients including Gary Hamel, Marshall Goldsmith, and Beverly Kaye.

Lisa Bryant – CHRO of the Year

As Chief Human Resources Officer at Dow, Lisa Bryant has been honored as i4cp’s CHRO of the Year, recognizing her leadership in workforce transformation, employee experience, and HR strategy. Bryant has played a pivotal role in aligning Dow’s people strategy with business goals, fostering an inclusive and high-performing workforce.

Lisa Ashworth – Board Member of the Year

This award recognizes Lisa Ashworth for her exceptional leadership and contributions to i4cp’s Talent Acquisition Board. Ashworth has been instrumental in fostering peer knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and engagement, strengthening the HR community through her generous insights and participation.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise – Member of the Year

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) has been recognized as i4cp’s 2025 Member of the Year for its strong engagement in i4cp research, peer networks, and workforce innovation. HPE has leveraged i4cp’s insights to enhance its HR strategies and has played a key role in performance management innovation and talent development.

"HPE is a shining example of how organizations can maximize the impact of i4cp membership," said Jenelle Buatti, Member Services Director at i4cp. "Their proactive approach to peer learning and strategic workforce initiatives makes them a standout leader in our community."

Lumen Technologies – New Member of the Year

Lumen Technologies has been named New Member of the Year, recognizing its outstanding first-year engagement with i4cp’s research and peer networks. Lumen has integrated i4cp insights across its HR and leadership teams, participating in multiple boards and leveraging key research to inform talent strategies and workforce planning.

Manulife Financial – High-Performing Member of the Year

With an impressive 52.6% five-year growth rate, Manulife Financial has been honored as High-Performing Member of the Year. The company’s strategic workforce initiatives, engagement in i4cp’s boards, and commitment to continuous HR innovation have set a benchmark for high-performance in talent and organizational leadership.

Symetra – Community Member of the Year

Symetra has been recognized as Community Member of the Year for its outstanding contributions to i4cp’s peer networks and knowledge-sharing initiatives. The company has actively participated in Flash Calls, Next Practice Awards submissions, and leadership development programs, demonstrating a strong commitment to collaboration and industry advancement.

Zachry Corporation – Culture Renovation® Award

As a family-owned company preparing for the next 100 years, Zachry Corporation has been honored with the Culture Renovation® Award for its commitment to cultural transformation and long-term workforce development.

"Zachry Corporation is proof that even strong cultures must evolve to meet future needs," said Marshall Bergmann, VP of Advisory Services at i4cp. "Their commitment to continuously refining and strengthening their culture sets an outstanding example for organizations navigating transformation."

2025 i4cp Next Practice Award Winners

The i4cp Next Practice Awards recognize organizations that are pioneering workforce strategies with measurable impact on business performance. This year’s winners have implemented cutting-edge practices that redefine HR leadership, performance management, and talent development.

• Mondelēz International: Building an Inclusive Culture to Achieve Better Outcomes and Performance
• Hewlett Packard Enterprise: Transforming HPE Performance Management and Fostering a High-Performance Culture to Accelerate Organizational Results
• Zillow Group: Unlocking the Competitive Advantage: How Zillow Used AI to Enhance Performance Management and the Future of Work
• Mattress Firm: Attract, Grow, Mobilize & Inspire great talent throughout every step of the employee journey to drive retention and overall business results

"The organizations receiving Next Practice Awards are at the forefront of innovation in HR, shaping the future of work by implementing strategies that drive real, measurable impact," said Carrie Bevis, i4cp Managing Director of Community & Partnerships. "We are proud to recognize their leadership and commitment to advancing workforce practices that elevate both employees and business outcomes."

Detailed case studies showcasing the winning initiatives are available exclusively to i4cp members, providing valuable insights into the strategies behind their success.

The i4cp community brings together the world’s most innovative HR leaders and organizations to share next practices, collaborate on cutting-edge workforce strategies, and drive meaningful impact. As an i4cp enterprise member, organizations gain access to exclusive research, peer-driven insights, and the opportunity to engage with senior HR leaders tackling today’s biggest challenges.

Interested in joining this incredible community? Reach out to our team to learn more about i4cp’s enterprise membership and how your organization can leverage next practices in HR and talent strategy.

About the Institute for Corporate Productivity (i4cp)

i4cp is the leading global authority on next practices in human capital, producing more HR research than any other firm. Supported by a powerful community of human capital practitioners who drive our research, i4cp equips organizations to better anticipate, adapt, and act in a constantly changing business environment. Learn more at www.i4cp.com.